EXCERPTS FROM THE CURRICULUM DOCUMENT, 1995
Prepared by the National Bureau of Curriculum and Textbooks
Federal Ministry of Education
Social Studies: At the completion of Class V, the child should be able to:
. "Acknowledge and identify forces that may be working against Pakistan." [page 154]
. "Demonstrate by actions a belief in the fear of Allah." [page 154]
. "Make speeches on Jehad and Shahadat." [page 154]
. "Understand Hindu-Muslim differences and the resultant need for Pakistan." [page 154]
. "India's evil designs against Pakistan." [page 154]
. "Be safe from rumour mongers who spread false news. " [page 158]
. "Visit police stations." [page 158]
. "Collect pictures of policemen, soldiers, and National Guards." [page 158]
. "Demonstrate respect for the leaders of Pakistan."
~~~~
Well, of course, this is nothing that new. All sorts of distinctions abound: men against women, rich against poor, whites against blacks, the religious against the infidel etc. But prejudice and biases are one thing, and the institutionalization of practices, the brainwashing of children, the re-inforcing of the structures of dominance are quite another. Related, but distinct. No?
So, Americans and the flag, cocksure that they're on a "mission" to establish the New Jerusalem, Jewish settlers, Indian bigots, Christian fundamentalists, neo-liberals. Preachers. The lot of them.
Vile? Yes. Of course. But surely what's dangerous here is not just their warped, indoctrinated view, but their actions; their sheer hatred and expression of hatred for other people and the world.
[and that ends this little "rant", Roxana. :-) ]
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2 comments:
oh, this is not a 'rant', b. this is a very serious issue. the 'brainwashing of children' and thus the re-inforcing of the structures of dominance... we have the same problems here, not so extreme, but still they are a problem. the orthodox church is very powerful and its extremism attracts many people. but this is a larger problem, not only related to religious extremism. the national myths that are forced unto children. the newest schoolbook fails to even mention Romania's involvement in the 2nd world war, for example.
Yes, I think you're right. This is not just "religious" (whence my reference to American nationalism and neo-liberalism.
I don't know, you know more about these things Roxana. I think it's about actual practices/techniques that reinforce some sort of psychological need for "purity" and the political purposes it serves.
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